Superintendent

Superintendent's Welcome

We are #WPProud

On behalf of the White Plains City School District and our dedicated team members, I am thrilled as your Superintendent of Schools to welcome all of you – students, families, faculty, staff and the entire White Plains CSD community – to an exciting school year defined by a commitment to academic excellence, intellectual growth and individual success.

In the White Plains CSD, our Tigers are the focus of all of our efforts!

It is a great honor to serve our children and community and I remain committed to making sure that we continue to work toward our codified commitment to “… educate and inspire all students, while nurturing their dreams, so they learn continually, think critically, pursue their aspirations and contribute to a diverse and dynamic world.”

We are eager to welcome our Tigers back into our schools to kick off the 2025-2026 academic year and enjoy the many improvements that were carried out during the summer with the help of our amazing custodial and physical plant team members, whose tireless work has ensured that our buildings are gorgeous and ready for opening day. These concerted efforts make an enormous difference for our entire school community.

The upgrades -- both inside and outside the schools -- have all been designed to enhance the learning environment and improve safety for all students. They reflect our commitment to provide facilities that match the excellence of our programs. For example, a new wing under construction at White Plains High School will expand opportunities for academic growth and high-tech innovation in the years ahead.  

Our expectational academic programs, cutting-edge technological offerings, socio-emotional character development programming, and community-based experiential opportunities all play a vital role in educating our students and preparing them for college and beyond.

In the WPCSD, safety also remains our top priority, and we are especially focused on ensuring secure and reliable transportation for all students. Working closely with our families, staff, and new transportation partners, we are committed to maintaining the highest safety standards by adopting new procedures for the buses, utilizing stop-arm cameras, and implementing the use of special bus passes to keep track of our students.

I’d also like to emphasize that it takes the proverbial village to promote the healthy development of the whole child. Each member of our community has the power to make a positive difference – so we value all students, parents, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders as partners in the mission to educate our children.

The WPCSD enjoys a strong history of innovative, personalized and inclusive opportunities for each and every child. It benefits greatly from a highly engaged Parent Teacher Association, the extremely supportive parent/guardian community and the entire community of White Plains. We encourage our families and teachers to join your school’s PTA and contribute to our mission of educating our youth and improving their lives.  

The Board of Education, district administration, faculty and staff are eager to capitalize on our strengths and continue to enhance our already outstanding educational program. I look forward to your partnership in supporting the healthy development and academic achievement of all our students. 

Stay #WPProud and please, feel free to reach out to me directly, if I may ever be of service.

We aspire to unlock the infinite and unique potential of each student, every day.

Respectfully,

Joseph L. Ricca, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools